Electric drinking-vessel



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. I. W. FLINT. ELECTRIC DRINKING VESSEL.

Patented Aug. 6, I889.

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(No Model.)

F. W. FLINT. ELEOTRIO DRINKING VESSEL.

Patented Aug. 6,1889.

avwe/nto z N PETERS, Phvib-Ulhogrwher, Wishinglon. lL-Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EREDERIoK W. FLINT, or MOUNT AIRY, GEORGIA.

ELECTRIC DRlNKlNG -VESSEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,607, dated August 6, 1889.

Application filed May 6, 1889. Serial No. 309,703. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. FLINT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Airy, in the county of Habersham and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Drinking-Glasses, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improved means of applying electricity in connection with suitable liquids, liquid medicines, or beverages therapeutically to the human or animal system; and it has for its objects to provide a device whereby the liquid or beverage, while being imbibed, will constitute part of an electrode, which will conduct the electric current to the mucous membrane of the mouth, throat, and stomach and distribute it to and difluse it throughout the surfaces with which the said liquid comes in contact during deglutition as the current passes through the body of the drinker, as more fully hereinafter specified.

My invention consists, essentially, in a vessel constructed partly or wholly of non-conducting material, the said vessel being adapted to contain a liquid or beverage, and provided with a suitable connection whereby its contents may be connected with one pole of a battery or other electric generator, in such manner that the vessel, in connection With the fluid therein, will form an electrode, whereby the electric current will be conducted to and distributed throughout the surfaces with which the fluid comes in contact in the act of swallowing the same.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents 'a sectional view of my improved device. Fig.

2 represents a perspective view thereof, showing the device in connection with an induction-coil and battery, whereby the current is applied. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are detail sectional views showing slight modifications of my invention.

The letter A indicates a vessel of any suitable description, in the present instance being represented as an ordinary drinking-glass having a disk of metal or other conducting material B located at its bottom. The said disk is provided with a central shank O, which extends through a central aperturein the bottom of the glass, the lower end of said shank being screw-threaded, and provided with a washer D and a nut E, by means of which the plate is secured and a water-tight joint is effected. The nut also serves as a binding device, whereby the oonductor from one pole of a battery may be electrically connected to the disk. The other pole of the battery may be connected by any suitable conductor with an electrode, which may be applied to any portion of the body to complete the circuit through the body as the liquid or beverage is swallowed.

It is evident that my improved device may be variously modified without departing from my invention. For instance, the vessel may be constructed of conducting material, partly coated or covered with insulating material, so as to compel the current to pass through the liquid without short-circuiting, as shown in Fig.3, and instead of the handle the vessel may be provided with a metallic holder, such as is used with the drinking-vessels employed in dispensing soda-water, the holder in that case forming one of the electrodes, as shown in Fig. 4.; or the body of the vessel may be constructed of non-conducting material and the bottom of conducting material, the latter being provided with a suitable connection for one terminal of the battery, as shown in Fig. 5.

My improved device is adapted to the treatment of various diseases in which electricity is found to be beneficial, especially nervous diseases and diseases of the throat, as the liquid in the latter case is applied directly to the parts affected, conducting the current thereto and diffusing it throughout such parts. Moreover, by the application of the current to various liquids and beverages the character of the same is modified, and in the case of beverages the flavor of the same is intensified, rendering the beverage more palatable and agreeable than heretofore, for the reason that the electric current renders the organs of taste more sensitive, and at the same time stimulates them.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, i.s-=

1. A drinkingwessel construd ted partly of a non-conducting and partly of a conducting material, and provided with a suitable battery-connection, the said vessel being adapted to contain a beverage or liquid, which will serve in connection with the said vessel as an electrode for establishing, a circuit through the body or system of the drinker When imbibed, substantially as specified.

2. A drinking-vessel constructed partly of non-conducting and partly of conducting material, the latter having a suitable batteryconnection, in combination with an electrode applied to the handle thereof, whereby an electric current may be established through the body or system of the drinker duringthe act of drinking from said vessel, substantially as specified.

FREDERICK W, FLINT.

\Vitnesses:

CHARLES D. DAVIS, J NO. SUMMERFIELD FINCH, J r. 

